It's hard to tell what time it is, but I'd guess it's after midnight. There's no one out on the streets, beside a few cars. Some flying cars at that.

Okay, yeah, maybe Cooper was onto something about the scary outside world. What's more is that they're fairly quiet, just a slight hum.

We walk on the sidewalk, the material is somewhat warm against my bare feet. I can't feel what it's made of, it feels weird.

I really wish I had some shoes.

Cooper walks along the streets, keeping me somewhat close to the walls of  the nearby buildings. Their walls look sleek and unnaturally smooth. If I had to guess, they look like the same material as that gun Cooper has. The surfaces just look like big phone screens, highly reflective. I don't look long though, not wanting to see my face.

We make it a block or two before I tug at Cooper's sleeve. Cooper perks his ear in my direction. I whisper as quietly as I can. "Sorry, break?"

"Sure"

I lean against the wall behind me, taking a few breaths. I was hoping I would last longer. the fact that it's the middle of the night doesn't help, I'm feeling pretty sleepy.

"Here, this should help." Before I can ask, he takes out his Axiom. I think he draws a circle on the screen. As he does, the outline of the circle lights up on the ground. With another tap, Cooper slides the Axiom off. And a cylinder rises from the ground, stopping at around my calf. Cooper must have seen my stunned expression.

"What's the matter, old man? Never been to the city before?"

At this point, I don't know if I'm more stunned at what he just did, or what he just called me. "Old man my ass. I'm like, 26? I spit out a hiss

"Never seen a human that young with hair that old. And keep it down, would ya?"

He's lucky enough that I'm mature, otherwise I'd call him out for provoking me like that. I stare at him, and stick my tongue out.

I huff and sit down on my new seat. It's not very big, but it's enough for me to sit fully on it without sliding off. It's warm, almost like a heated seat. Curiously, I glide my hand along the side. It's almost soft, in that worn plasticky kinda way.

Handy.

Cooper rests against the building while I take my break. He's tapping away on his Axiom again. I try to look at it some more. I can see some pictures I think, but that's about it.

Looking around, there's not much to talk about in terms of architecture. Most buildings look the same, being eerily rectangular without much detail. The ones that don't look a bit older, but not in terms of architecture. I've never seen this style, they just look more worn out than the rest.

Cooper keeps an ear out for the few cars that come our way, but he doesn't seem too worried. Not even for the ones a few stories above us. It's kinda scary, seeing stuff like flying cars all of sudden. I instantly think about a scenario where one malfunctions, and just falls straight on me.

Ever the pessimist.

I shake my head and stand up. Turning to Cooper, I give him the thumbs up. He gives me a puzzled look, before doing it back. Hahah, kinda cute, but mostly dumb.

Albeit a tad weird, does he even know what that means? This no-talking thing isn't gonna work. I sigh before gesturing for him to lead the way. Thankfully he understands that, and we're walking along again.

Once again I start to think to myself, I've come to accept that I'll be doing that a lot now. Seriously, this place is huge. It's a wonder how people don't get lost around here. There are signs here and there, but with all the buildings looking so similar, how do they make sense of it all?

My thoughts get interrupted as Cooper suddenly pulls me into a nearby alley.

"Wh-"

"Shh." He covers my mouth abruptly and huddles me against the wall.

... Oh my.

I furrow my brows. Where did this come from? Oh fuck, did he see one of those guards?

I can't see  anything out of the alley, Cooper is resting on his side now, blocking me. He pulls me in against his chest. My scrawny chest against his built one. This is the closest we've been.

Didn't know he swing that way-

...! Oh fuck, did he see one of those guards?

With his paw covering my mouth, I can only breathe through my nose.

...

!

I never noticed it before, but this dog absolutely reeks. My eyes almost water, the fucking musk is so overpowering. If the guards don't get me, the goddamn stench will. Actually, no, guards please come around the corner!

Save me!

They don't, as much as I sort of wanted them to.

I don't see them, but I hear the sloping of boots behind Cooper. When they stop, my heart drops.

...

...

...

They pick up again after a few moments, their steps fading into the distance.

When Cooper removes his paw from my mouth, I take in some fresh air as I move a few steps away from him. I glare at him, and whisper in a hoarse voice. "Rude."

"Sorry, they were getting close."

"They're not the only ones." I actually spit on the ground, getting as much of his musk out of my system as possible. "You need a bath, for real."

"Wh-"

"C'mon. let's go." You'd think with a nose that good he'd have noticed. I don't even give him time to process that as I pull him out of the alley.

Ugh.

My bravado ceases quickly though, as I need him to actually lead me. We don't talk for the rest of the walk, and thankfully no other guards pop up.

After another few blocks, Cooper points to a building. "There, that's our place."  It's one of the only ones with a lit sign, looks like neon.

I huff. Thank god, my legs were starting to give out again. " What is it?"

"A clothing store, I think."

"You think?"

"Well, I've never been, it was just recommended on the Axiom."

"By who?"

"Let's go." He rolls his eyes.

"Okay."

We cross the streets quickly. Well, as quickly as I can.

It isn't until we're up against the building I finally realize what's been so off putting about this city. There don't seem to be any doors on most, if any, of the surrounding buildings. This building has some see-through windows above, but here at the ground? Nothing. Just looks like a big wall of plastic.

"How do we get in?"

"Hang on" He pushes me out of the way before taking the Axiom, this time drawing more of an archway on the screen.

While he's doing so, an outline in the shape of what he's drawing appears on the wall in front of us. Once it connects, there's a brief flash of light, before a new doorway has appeared.

"Wait here, I have to open one for you."

"I can't go through yours?"

"No. Don't worry, it'll just take a minute."

"Uhh-" Before I can protest, Cooper heads into the boutique, and the doorway shuts behind almost instantly.

It hasn't even been a minute, but the fact that I'm alone out in this strange world is giving me goosebumps. I rub my arms a bit, really feeling the lack of sleeves. Wonder why I can't feel pain, but can feel all of this? At least my feet are warm, these heated walkways are nice.

I look around some more, andI think I see a clock in the distance. 2.46 AM. No wonder I'm so tired. I yawn and rest against the wall. It's cool compared to the floor, which is weird to say the least.

...

Man, Cooper's taking a long time in there. I start to get worried. Looking to the clock.  It's been several minutes.

It's a door, I mean it's a super futuristic kind of door, but it shouldn't take this long to open a door, should it? Starting to get antsy out here, I'm a sitting duck.

I turn to face the wall, and start to feel around, before pushing. Surely there has to be other ways to open a door around here, right? What if you don't have an Axiom? This all seems ludicrous to me.

As I'm feeling around, the outline of an archway lights up. Before I know it, I'm falling face first into the boutique. I yelp and close my eyes, bracing myself for a plethora of broken bones.

Instead, I fall on something sturdy, and supportive.

And smelly.

I look up, and I'm met with Cooper's concerned expression. I've fallen onto his chest. His gaze shifts quickly though, back to one of annoyance.

"Uhh, hi?" I awkwardly smile

"What are you doing?"

"I was trying to find a way in, you were taking too long."

"Hmph, you wanna get off."

"More than you know." I heave as I basically try to do a pushup to get off of him, but my piddly arms make it difficult.

"Oof." My twig of arms gave up and I fall again...

Cooper instead just slowly lifts me up by my collar, like a kitten held by their mother, and gets me off. "I can't believe you survived this long."

I don't have a retort. It is admittedly a bit embarrassing to fall face first into your escort like that. I just grumble to myself, and work on standing up.

"Oh my heavens! Are you alright?"

I whip my head around toward the unfamiliar voice. As my heart starts to race, Cooper places a hand on my shoulder.

"Calm down, she's the one running the place." He says with some exhaustion, as he hoists me up to stand properly.

"That's right! Just let me know if you need anything and I'll be there to assist yo-" She jumps. "Oh my gosh! Your head, are you okay? Do you need a doctor?"

Oh. Right, I'm bandaged up.

Before I can respond, Cooper speaks up. "He's fine. He just had too much to drink." He then pulls on my cheek a bit, as if scolding me. "He needs a fresh set of clothes."

"Oh! I see, I see, well of course! Just let me know if you need anything and I'll be there lickety-split!"

"Uhhh, thank..." Her energy is a bit overwhelming, But I nod respectfully toward her out of habit.

She looks like a small sheep, maybe no more than 4' tall. Dressed in an outfit that looks like a green bellhop's uniform, complete with a cute and small hat.

Before she walks back to her desk, I catch her nametag. It looks expensive, with the name Mirantha written in gold lettering. Fancy to say the least, never heard of a name like that though. Wonder if it's a local thing?

"Okay, enough gawking."

My inner monologue is once again interrupted by my escort, who slightly slaps my back.

"H-hey! What was that for?"

"You're taking up time again. Go find something to wear, something cheap."

I rub my back, and for a moment I think I feel something. "Ugh, I'm just tired."

"I'm aware, now hurry up." He then scoots me off further into the store, while he rests against the wall, fiddling with his Axiom.

Wow, thanks for the help.

I want to go to sleep, in a real bed.

In any case, I start to wander around the store. Everything looks pretty tacky to say the least. Lots of weird designs, and most don't look very practical.

I shiver. These floors aren't heated. Looking around, I don't see any shoes.

If I remember correctly, which is already a stretch, most clothing stores don't hold shoes due to beastmen needing specific shapes and sizes. Guess it's not unreasonable for them to not have any.

Regardless, I walk to Mirantha's desk. This might be easier than wandering alone. Plus Cooper'd get mad at me if I dawdled.

As I walk up to her desk, I realize something.

I think she's asleep.